My exploration of astral travel began after reading Journeys Out of the Body by Robert Monroe. His accounts of navigating the astral planes opened a doorway in my mind—and his practical methods gave me the tools to step through it. If you are planning to buy this book, please take it with a grain of salt: the techniques are really useful and Robert's experiences are very interesting, he seems to think that his experiences of the astral plane are universal, whereas to me a lot of what he experiences seems like his very personal spiritual journey.
I started experimenting with conscious separation from the physical body, mostly during altered sleep states. What I discovered was both challenging and deeply magical.
Sleep Paralysis: A Hidden Gateway
Many people fear sleep paralysis—but it's actually a powerful opportunity. When you wake up and feel unable to move, it may be because you're already in your astral body, still tethered to the physical one.
If you shift from fear to curiosity in that moment, you’re already halfway to having a powerful experience. There are two main ways I’ve found to separate:
- Forceful movement: a quick roll or sudden sit-up using your full astral “body” energy
- Mind-powered floating: imagining yourself lifting or floating out of the body
The floating method can work, but I find it a bit more disorienting. Either way, don’t panic—this is the start of something extraordinary.
When It Doesn’t Work (And That’s Okay)
Even after successful separation, sometimes I wake up immediately. Other times, I feel drowsy or unfocused. Some people suggest calling out for clarity—but honestly, that rarely works for me. Most times, I just wake up soon after. This is normal. Don’t let it discourage you.
Waking Up in the Astral Without Knowing It
Not all astral entries begin with paralysis. You might “wake up” thinking you’re still in your home, but something will be slightly off—like the color of a piece of furniture. If you notice anything slightly off, this can be your sign that you actually woke up in the astral.
Some people also encounter dark figures in these spaces, which can be terrifying at first.
I’ve had experiences where I was walking down my hallway, saw a dark figure and got stuck in a loop of resetting—leaving my body over and over, unable to wake up—because I panicked. Later, I realized that fear created the nightmare. With understanding, that same moment could have been an invitation to explore.
What Are the Shadow Figures?
Robert Monroe believed these figures are often spirit guides, observing and supporting our journey. They are usually veiled, but sometimes we catch a glimpse of them unintentionally. They’re not harmful—just present. Once I understood this, the fear faded. Curiosity took its place.
The Best Time to Practice
You’re more likely to succeed with astral travel when you’re:
- Not overly tired
- Napping during the day
- Falling asleep after waking early in the morning
Interestingly, I also find it happens more often when I’m not in my usual sleeping environment.
The Technique
Here’s the most effective technique I’ve found (inspired by Monroe):
- As you fall asleep, imagine a familiar room—not the one you're in now.
- Engage all your senses: look around, smell the air, touch the furniture.
- Let your mind fully inhabit that imagined space.
This method also helps me fall asleep quickly, and occasionally it shifts me directly into the astral state.
I actually had given up after weeks of trying and accidentally entered the astral after one night using the method just to fall asleep after waking up due to a coughing fit and struggling to fall back asleep.
So be patient. Use the practice to rest your body and sharpen your inner awareness. The experience will come.
What To Do Once You’re Out
When you succeed in separating and feel clear-headed, the possibilities are endless. You might be able to:
- See your sleeping body in the bed
- Fly by simply thinking about moving
- Pass through walls with focused effort
- Visit other places, real or symbolic
- Meditate and speed up time to receive insight
- Look at your hands to begin a psychedelic-like journey
To return, simply think of your physical body. You’ll either snap back or reset close to it.
Encountering Shadows
Yes, shadow beings are possible. They’re rare, but they can appear. The best way to dissolve fear or negative energy is to:
- Focus on your heart
- Visualize light radiating outward
- Fill the space with warmth, calm, and clarity
Avoid reacting with fear. If you do, you may just wake up—and miss what could’ve been an incredible experience.
Can Dream Herbs Help with Astral Travel?
Certain herbs are known to deepen dreams and increase awareness during sleep—which can support astral projection, even if they don’t directly cause it.
- Blue Lotus and Damiana help by relaxing the body and encouraging vivid dreams, giving you more chances to experience the cousin of Astral travel - Lucid dreaming or enter a trance-like state. They're gentle and great for dream recall and light ritual use.
- Calea zacatechichi (Mexican Dream Herb) is stronger. It often brings extremely clear dreams and false awakenings, which may lead to spontaneous out-of-body sensations.
- Silene capensis (African Dream Root) creates deep, symbolic dream states that can feel almost like entering other dimensions. Some users report spiritual contact or dream environments vivid enough to explore consciously.
These herbs don’t guarantee astral travel—but they can be powerful tools to help you get closer to the threshold.
Final Thoughts
The astral realm, to me, is a spiritual teaching ground—vast, mysterious, and free. These journeys often feel as meaningful and insightful as any plant medicine ceremony I’ve taken part in.
They’ve taught me that even sleep holds doorways, if we know where to look.